Taking Care of Your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are great pets to have. They don't require too much maintenance, have fun personalities and give lots of love!

We want to share a few tips for first time, prospective and current guinea pig owners. These little guys are so much fun!

First, let's talk about food.

Timothy hay is the major source of diet for a guinea pig. In addition to hay, a small amount of guinea pig pellets may be added to the diet . Make sure the pellets are fortified so that they are getting the correct vitamins and nutrients. We also recommend adding Vitamin C to their drinking water, since guinea pigs are unable to manufacture their own Vitamin C. There are also a number of fruits and vegetables that can be used as treats. Consult with us on which fruits and vegetables to give, as there are some they cannot eat. Also, try not to give too many treats so that they can stay on a proper diet. Treats are a great way to bond with your guinea pig!

Housing

Make sure you have a large cage for your guinea pig and provide proper bedding. Shredded paper, recycled paper bedding and shredded aspen bedding works best! DO NOT use pine or cedar shavings as the oils in the shavings can cause respiratory problems. Also, sawdust should not be used as a substrate. Make sure to clean out and disinfect the cage once a week.

GP Food/Housing Checklist

• Large cage. 12' height x 24-36' width
• Proper substrate and bedding
• Vitamin C Supplement
• Timothy hay
• Treats (veggies/fruits)
• Water bottle and dish
• Food bowl
• Safe toys

Care

Nail trims are important for your guinea pig. We perform nail trims at our clinic on a daily basis, so feel free to schedule an appointment with us. Sometimes teeth trims are required as well (do not attempt on your own; only veterinarians can do this). Also, bathing and brushing your guinea pig are good grooming habits to develop. It is good to bond with your guinea pig and take them out to play frequently.

*If you see your guinea pig eating their droppings, this is normal and do not discourage it. Eating feces actually helps them digest and are an important part of their diet.

One last thing.

We want your guinea pig to be happy and healthy. If he/she shows any sign of illness, let us know.  Being a prey species, guinea pigs hide their illnesses very well. Please contact our clinic should any of the below listed signs occur.

Common Signs of Illness

• Drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Swollen, painful joints and ribs
• Reluctance to move
• Bleeding from the gums
• Straining or uterine bleeding
• Hair loss
• Panting and/or convulsions
• Swelling/lameness of the feet
• Labored or rapid breathing
• Discharge from eyes and/or nose
• Excessive tilting of head
• Diarrhea
• Excessive scratching

Guinea pigs are great pets! If you have any questions about them, always call our clinic. We are happy to help you!  

Remember to Vaccinate!

Often we hear our clients voice they only want their dog to receive the rabies vaccine. This is indeed important, but there are other vaccines that are just as crucial for your dog to remain healthy. We want to take a moment and explain to you why your dog needs vaccines. There have been constant debates about the importance of having your dogs vaccinated, and we want to set the record straight. What we are sharing with you has been backed up by multiple scientific trials and studies.

First of all, please vaccinate your puppy at six weeks and after. Puppies that are young and nursing receive immunity from their mother. When vaccines are given before six weeks, the puppy is often still nursing, and the mother's milk reacts with the vaccines, causing them to be ineffective.

What we recommend for your dog/puppy:
Bordetella
Rabies
DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Leptospirosis

Bordetella (Canine Tracheobronchitis)

Bordetella is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory system. Often nicknamed "kennel cough," Bordetella is a bacteria that causes inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and coughing. Left untreated, it can cause even more damage to the dog. The name, kennel cough, can be misleading however. While places like boarding facilities and shelters are common places to find Bordetella, affected dogs that come in contact with healthy dogs outside or at the vet can transfer the disease. At our clinic, we take Bordetella cases seriously. If we are aware of an infected dog coming in for an appointment, we take precautions to keep other dogs safe. We immediately take them to an exam room and after its appointment, we disinfect everything--the floor, scale, exam room, etc. Yes, it is that contagious. Please get this vaccine for your dog!  

Why DHPP and Leptospirosis?
Most people are more familiar with Rabies and Bordetella vaccines than DHPP and Lepto. For a healthy dog, we recommend receiving all vaccinations.

Let's break each disease down so you can understand their importance.

Canine Distemper

This disease attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems in dogs and puppies. It is also found in wild animals. Dogs pass this contagious disease to other dogs by airbourne exposure. All dogs are at risk, but puppies younger than four months and unvaccinated dogs are more susceptible to the disease. The best way to help prevent this is vaccinate.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and in this case refers to a specific type of liver disease caused by an adenovirus.  It contagious from dog to dog and is often times fatal.

Parvovirus (Parvo)

This is a highly contagious disease that affects the gastrointestinal tracts. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months have the highest risk. Although there is no drug that kills Parvo, immediate treatment can help the dog's immunity fight the illness. We have to be extremely careful with puppies that have Parvo because their immune system may not be mature enough to fight off infection.

Parainfluenza

This virus is highly contagious and is one of the many causes of the disease "kennel cough" or tracheobronchitis.  It along with Bordetella can cause cold-like symptoms including a harsh dry cough.  Occasionally, it can progress to pneumonia.

Leptospirosis

Leptospira is a bacteria commonly found in lakes, marshes, and streams.  When it infects dogs it often causes, among other things, kidney failure.  It is particularly concerning because it is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed to humans, causing similar serious disease.  Vaccination of your dog is important to protect you as well a your pet.

If you have any questions about vaccinations and their importance, please feel free to speak with any of our staff or veterinarians. Comments or questions can also be posted on our Facebook page.